Training device

ABSTRACT

A training device is disclosed, or a device for training, sport, gymnastics and for therapy, characterized by an arched planar element ( 1 ), having a largely rectangular outline. The arching or curvature encloses an angle of at least 30°, said angle generally being an angle of ca. 30-180°, preferably ca. 60-100°. The arched planar element can have a nearly form stable embodiment, made from wood, a polymeric material, such as a reinforced polymer or light metal. It is also possible to give the element a weakly elastic embodiment, using a correspondingly weakly elastic material such as wood, or a correspondingly weakly elastic polymer.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a training device or an apparatus forexercising, sports and gymnastics and therapy, as well as a method forthe production of a training device.

For physical training, in particular for home use, but also in fitnesscenters, many complicated, complex and heavy devices exist, which,moreover, as a rule, are also rather expensive. Conventional strengthand endurance devices, also those for private use, are often cumbersometo handle and also require much space, i.e. they cannot be readilyremoved and be stored for example in a chamber or side room. Inaddition, the known devices can only be utilized primarily in a singlearea and for a single purpose and are therefore one-sided. For thisreason, many different devices are required to cover all areas which areto be exercised.

A number of less complicated devices are known from prior art. Forexample the German Utility Patent DE 200 17 464 proposes a multifunctiontraining apparatus, the Utility Patent G 90 06 479.8 and U.S. Pat. No.5,584,786 disclose semi-cylindrical training devices, as well as U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,967,820, 4,902,003 and 5,795,276 bench-like trainingdevices, which, while they are simpler of construction compared toconventional training devices, however, all of these can only be appliedrelatively specifically for a certain exercise purpose. The same appliesalso to the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,248.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention comprises proposing a trainingapparatus, with which the body can to a large extent be exercisedoverall. According to the invention an apparatus is accordingly proposedfollowing the wording of claim 1. Proposed is an apparatus for training,or a training device, which comprises an arched sheet element with asubstantially rectangular outline, the curvature or arch enclosing anangle of at least approximately 30°. The training device proposedaccording to the invention is comprised of a rectangular plate, which ispreferably at least nearly uniformly curved, and which plate, or whichsheet element, has approximately the same thickness or wall thicknessover the entire area. According to a preferred embodiment variant, thearch or curve encloses an angle of approximately 30-180°, preferablyapproximately 60-100°.

Again according to a further embodiment variant, the length of theelement along a bent edge is approximately 60-120 cm, preferablyapproximately 70-90 cm and the width is in a range of approximately40-80 cm, preferably approximately 45-60 cm and the thickness of theelement or of the plate is in the range of approximately 1.5-4 cm,preferably approximately 1.5-2.5 cm.

Due to its physical form, the training device is bilaterally usable andpreferably dimensionally stable, comprised of wood, a polymericmaterial, such as a reinforced polymer, or it is comprised of a lightmetal, such as for example aluminum. However, it is also possible toimplement the device such that it is slightly elastic by utilizing acorrespondingly elastic wood or a slightly elastic polymer.

According to a preferred embodiment variant of the training deviceaccording to the invention, the angle enclosed by the arch isapproximately 90°, the length along the bent edge is approximately 80cm, the width approximately 50 cm and preferably a thickness ofapproximately 2 cm is chosen. It is understood that the arching can alsobe greater or less, it can be circular, oval or elliptical. Thespecified dimensions can also be greater or less, depending on therequirements and the target users, whether these be children,adolescents or adults. The surface of the convex side can be providedwith a damping coating, such as of an elastomeric material, such asrubber, latex, elastomer polymer, foamed material, etc. The concave sideis preferably provided with a non-slip coating. It is furthermorepossible to provide on the training device according to the inventiongrip handles, holes and the like, for example for fastening additionalmaterials.

The production of the training device according to the invention issimple by starting, for example, with a rectangular plate, which is bentto form a quarter circle. It is understood that it is also possible,especially when using polymeric materials, to inject the material into amold having already a curvature.

The training device proposed according to the invention is astonishinglysimple, light-weight, multiply applicable, multifunctional, easy tocarry, easy to store, not expensive, simply stackable in extremely smallspace, in particular when using several devices, such as for examplewhen the devices are employed in exercise centers, fitness centers or inschool gymnasiums.

All conditioning factors of physical fitness in the area of strength,endurance, mobility and coordination (balance) can be covered, and, interms of exercise, this can take place at a low or a high level,prophylactically or also within the framework of rehabilitation. Thedevice can be utilized everywhere, in the home, at the work place, infitness studios, in health and wellness centers, in physiotherapy or inmedical offices, in gymnasiums or other leisure and sports facilities.The device can be employed as an individual station or also for groupexercises or as a station in circuit training. Due to its curved form,both sides can be used—the convex side can serve as a stepper forendurance training or as a support for the harmonic strengthening of thebody; through its rocking movement the concave side promotes inter aliaespecially balance or coordination of the entire body. It can also beutilized as a support in mental training.

In conclusion the training device according to the invention will beexplained by example in further detail and with reference to theattached drawing, in which depict:

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 in schematic simplification one training device eachaccording to the invention in the two positions of use, and

FIG. 3 an embodiment variant of a training device according to theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 and 2 show schematically that the training device according tothe invention is largely a shell in the form of a quarter circle, whicheither, as shown in FIG. 1, can be disposed such that it is fixedlypositioned, or such that it is suitable for balancing exercises in anonstable position, as depicted in FIG. 2. It is understood that theshell does not need to have the form of a quarter circle, but rather canalso be of different segments of a circle, can be implementedelliptically or can have any other desired curvature.

FIG. 3 lastly shows an embodiment variant of a training device 1according to the invention in perspective view in the fixed position,e.g. with the convex side 4 directed upwardly. The training device 1again involves a shell of approximately quarter-circle form, which isprovided with a damping coating 5 in the central region on its upperconvex side 4. This coating can comprise an elastic material, such asrubber, latex, a foamed substance or another elastic polymer. On theunderside, or the concave side, 3 the shell is preferably implementedsuch that it is slip resistant, i.e. it is provided with a non-slipcoating. However, this resistance to slipping can be attained therebythat the surface of the shell is slightly roughened.

The two end edges 9 of the quarter-circle-shaped shell are alsopreferably implemented such that they are slip resistant or are providedwith a non-slip edge protection 8, which, in the manner of clips, can beplaced over the end edge 9 or can be, for example, firmly connected withthe end edge 9 by adhesion.

Along each of the longitudinal edges or bent edges 2 one grip handle 6each is provided, for example in order to facilitate the transport ofthe training device 1. Lastly, at one end of the training deviceopenings 7 are provided, for example for attaching additional materials,such as for example rubber pulls suitable for additional exercisecapabilities.

As is clearly evident in FIG. 1 to 3, the training device proposedaccording to the invention is of extremely simple structure andaccordingly is readily producible. The remaining advantages do not needto be discussed further, since these have already been sufficientlyrecognized above.

It is understood that the training devices depicted in FIG. 1 to 3 areonly examples, which can be changed or modified in any desired manner orcan be supplemented by further elements. In particular the proportionscan be varied, the bending angle, the curvature itself, whethercircular, oval, etc., as well as also the materials employed for theproduction of the training device can be varied or changed. It isunderstood that it is also possible to provide additional elements, suchas perforations, grip handles and the like.

1. Apparatus for training the human body, comprising: an arched sheetelement having a substantially rectangular outline, the arch or curve ofthe sheet element enclosing an angle of at least approximately 30°, thesurface of a convex side of the sheet element being provided with adamping layer comprised of an elastomeric material or natural dampingsubstance, or a polymer, and further including a concave side of thesheet element being slip-resistant.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the arch or curve is at least nearly uniform, andthe element has approximately the same thickness or wall thickness allover.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the archor curve encloses an angle of approximately 30-180°.
 4. Apparatus fortraining the human body, comprising: an arched sheet element having asubstantially rectangular outline, the arch or curve of the sheetelement enclosing an angle of at least approximately 30°, the surface ofa convex side of the sheet element being provided with a damping layercomprised of an elastomeric material or natural damping substance, or apolymer, and further including a concave side of the sheet element beingslip-resistant, characterized in that the length of the element alongthe bent edge is approximately 60-120 cm, and that the width isapproximately 40-80 cm, and the thickness of the element isapproximately 1.5-4 cm.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the element is at least nearly dimensionallystable, and is fabricated of wood, a polymeric material, or of a lightmetal, and the edges are rounded on all sides.
 6. Apparatus for trainingthe human body, comprising: an arched sheet element having asubstantially rectangular outline, the arch or curve of the sheetelement enclosing an angle of at least approximately 30°, the surface ofa convex side of the sheet element being provided with a damping avercomprised of an elastomeric material or natural damping substance, or apolymer, and further including a concave side of the sheet element beingslip-resistant, characterized in that the element is slightly elasticand is fabricated of a correspondingly slightly elastic wood or acorrespondingly slightly elastic polymer, and all edges on all sides arerounded.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that theangle enclosed by the arch or curve is approximately 90°, the length ofthe bent edge is approximately 80 cm, the width approximately 50 cm andthe thickness of the element is approximately 2 cm.
 8. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the arch or curve is circular,oval or elliptical.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat on the element grip handles, or holes are provided.
 10. Method forthe production of an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat a substantially rectangular plate of wood, a polymeric material orof a light metal, is bent into the appropriate form.
 11. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet element includes terminal supportedges each with a non-slip edge protection.